Playoff MVP Hanson returns to Americans

The Americans are the ECHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League and the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League.

Hanson has been a big part of the Allen Americans last two championships, one in the Central Hockey League, and last season in the ECHL. Hanson had 29 points (12g-17a) in 25 postseason games last season for Allen, helping to lead the Americans to a Kelly Cup title in seven games over the South Carolina Stingrays, while winning the Playoffs MVP award.

Hanson will be back for his third season in Allen. He has 113 points (49g-64) in 104 regular-season games with the Americans. The native of Lidingo, Sweden will begin his fourth season as a pro this October. He played four seasons at Northern Michigan University before beginning his pro career in his native Sweden in 2011-12.